Screenwriters

Screenwriters write scripts for entertainment, education, training and sales, films and television programs. Screenwriters may choose themes themselves, or they may write on a theme assigned by a producer or director, sometimes adapting plays, novels, or other works into screenplays. Screenwriting is an art, a craft, and a business. It is a career that requires imagination and creativity, the ability to tell a story using both dialogue and pictures, and the ability to negotiate with producers and studio executives.

Quick Facts

Duties

Write scripts for television shows, movies, documentaries, and other productions

Alternate Title(s)

Continuity Writers, Motion Picture Writers, Playwrights

Salary Range

Below $25,000 to $100,000+

Employment Prospects

Fair

Advancement Prospects

Fair

Work Environment

Primarily Indoors

Best Geographical Location(s)

Most opportunities exist in New York and Los Angeles

Education and Training

High School Diploma

Related School Subjects

English

Journalism

Theater/Dance

Experience

Previous writing experience recommended

Skills

Computer

Performance

Music

and Acting

Writing

Personality Traits

Creative

Enterprising

Organized

Licensure/Certification

None

Special Requirements

Membership in the Writers Guild of America (WGA) may be required for studios and production companies that are signatories of WGA contracts